Introduction to Assemblies

Chapter 6

Assemblies

• Assembly files consist of multiple parts and the mates that define constraints between parts

• By default, the first part placed in the assembly is fixed in space

• Subsequent parts are free to move (translate and rotate) except as constrained by mates

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Assembly Example

• These two blocks are to be combined as shown.

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Placement of First Part

• Placing first part at the origin of the assembly is good practice – allows for Front, Top, and Right planes of the assembly to be used as planes of symmetry

• Instead of clicking in the graphics area to place the first part, click the check mark (OK) to place it at the origin

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Placement of Subsequent Parts

• Subsequent parts are placed at arbitrary locations – can be moved and rotated within the assembly until motion is constrained by mates

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Fixed

Floating

Moving Parts Within an Assembly

• Click and drag with left mouse button to translate

• Click and drag with right mouse button to rotate

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Moving Parts Within an Assembly (cont.)

• The Triad Tool allows for more precise movements.

• Click and drag on an axis to translate along that axis

• Click and drag on a circle to rotate about the axis associated with that circle

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

First Part Placed in Assembly is Fixed

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Mate 1 – Concentric Mate

• Two cylindrical faces are selected

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Mate 2 – Coincident Mate

• Back face of small block and front face of large block selected – the mate places the two faces in the same plane

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Effects of First Two Mates

• Small block’s allowed movements are now restricted to rotation about the axis of the holes

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Mate 3 – Parallel Mate

• Top surfaces are constrained to be parallel

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Small Block is Now Fully Constrained

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Editing Mates

• Mates are stored in the FeatureManager, can be edited or deleted.

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Tips for Adding Mates

• If the wrong entity is selected, click it again to de-select it, or right-click in the graphics area and choose Clear Selections

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Tips for Adding Mates (cont.)

• Use Select Other for selecting hidden faces without rotating the view orientation

Right-click, choose Select Other

Left-click desired face

Back face is now selected

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Tips for Adding Mates (cont.)

• Use a filter to help select small features

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Tips for Adding Mates (cont.)

• When filter is active (indicated by icon next to cursor), only that type of entity can be selected

• Make sure to clear filters when finished

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009

Tips for Adding Mates (cont.)

• Useful keyboard shortcuts:• x: turn on selection of faces (most mates are

made between faces)• F6: turns off selected filter

INTRODUCTION TO SOLID MODELING USING SOLIDWORKS 2009